DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE,
October 16, 2019
Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
at
Roll call: Town Clerk Linda McCabe, called
the roll: Supervisor Thomas Wood-
present, Councilman Charles Hanehan - present, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – present,
Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary Squires – present.
Also
present: Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Deputy
Clerk Michelle Conover, Attorney William Reynolds, Jeremiah Burton, Shan Burton,
Sharon Pineo, Jim Sullivan, Terri Korb, Susan Yerry and Robert Dougal. (sign in sheet on file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings: None
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to accept the minutes of the September
9, 2019 regular meeting as written. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James
Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye. Carried
5 – 0
Town Clerk’s report for September 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $86.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $2,938.76. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $45.00. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $370.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $664.24. Total State and Local Revenues received were $4,104.00.
Zoning
Officer’s report for September 2019: 10 Building Permits were issued, 21 Building Inspections, 8 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 0 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 3 Order/s to Remedy, 4 misc., 6 Building Permit
Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection.
A check for $2,712.00
was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report for September 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report: Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 13 complaints, took 1 dog/s to the shelter, traveled 62 miles, issued 10 warnings, 2 summons were issued and dealt
with 0 bite case/s.
Town Court report for September 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of September 2019
- $4,118.00.
Historian’s report for September
2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: September was an active month in
the Historian Office, with the 175th anniversary of the Quaker Springs
Methodist Church, restoration of the pump in the Quaker Mineral Springs,
erecting a historical marker along Route 4 and the final work at the Sword
Surrender site. In September, he had 89
posts on the blog with 505 visitors and 1,217 views. The Historian's Facebook page has reached
1,361 viewers. Photos of the fantastic
program commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Quaker Springs Methodist
Church and a history, written by Paul Griffin, is on the website. Councilman Jim Jennings, with help from the
Town Highway Department, restored the pump on the mineral well in Quaker
Springs. This has been documented with
photos which will be put on the website
shortly.
The Town Highway Department erected a marker
honoring the Hemlocks, paid for by the Pomeroy Foundation. The Hemlocks, which
no longer exists, was a canal Hamlet near Paul Garnsey & Son Trucking. The marker calls attention to the South
trailhead of the March to Surrender Trail.
He adds that he is looking at some additional grants for markers.
October 17, 2019 - Official Dedication of the
Surrender Site will be held at 12:00 Noon. Town Supervisor Thomas Wood is the
Master of Ceremonies and parking is at the Schuyler House.
There are other events in October, including the Candlelight
Tour of the Schuyler House and history related meetings.
Assessor’s
report for September 2019:
Highway
Superintendent’s report for September 2019:
v
Mowed and cleared
tree limbs from ditches
v
Borrowed shoulder machine from
v
Changed tires on
shoulder machine for
v
Hauled material
for shoulders
v
Ditching and
culvert changes on Schuyler St.
v
Replaced cable
for the backhoe bucket
v
Cable for backhoe
bucket was replaced
v
Did crack-sealing
on Walsh Rd., Trombley Rd. and Chapman Hill Rd.
v
Worked on South Trailhead
parking area
v
Installed historic
and trail signs for the trail
v
Hauled blacktop
for the Towns of
v
Replaced yellow
caution beacon on Victory Mills truck
v
Had Conover
Electric install a new water conditioner
Supervisor’s
report:
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2019
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 09/01/2019 $ 1,297,190.12
Revenues + 20,968.44
Disbursements - 93,989.94
Balance 09/30/2019 $ 1,224,168.62
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 09/01/2019 $1,844,826.05
Revenues + 12,497.26
Disbursements - 8,110.69
Balance 09/30/2019 $1,849,212.62
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 09/01/2019 $ 904,844.67
Revenues + 136,983.92
Disbursements - 303,782.94
Balance 09/30/2019 $ 738,045.65
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 09/30/2019 $ 184,809.84
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 09/30/2019 $
3,826.77
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 09/30/2019 $ 102,033.29
BUILDING RESERVE 09/30/2019 $ 292,599.45
TRUST & AGENCY 09/30/2019 $ 46,223.18
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 09/30/2019
$ 112.50
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 09/30/2019 $ 21,338.54
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 09/30/2019 $
1,310.02
CDBG PROJECT 09/30/2019 $
11,764.00
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 09/30/2019
$ 311.53
PARKS RESERVE 09/30/2019 $
181,956.55
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 09/30/2019 $ 1,310.02
v Sales Tax Received – September 2019 - $122,552.00
v Mortgage
Tax - August 2019 - $16,471.00
Public comments on Agenda Items:
Jim Sullivan addressed the
Highway Superintendent.
Committee
reports:
Landfill: No report
Insurance: No report
Youth: No report
Upcoming trips: In October they will be going to Lake George
for dinner and a play. In December they
will be going to a dinner and play based upon Charles Dickens' "A
Christmas Carol".
They send their condolences
to the family of Steve Bodnar, who was a very active member of their group. They also send best wishes to Anna Berma, who
has moved to Texas to be near her daughter.
They had a meeting on October
14, 2019, with speaker Tim Lagoe, Historian of the Quaker Springs Church sharing
the history of the stained glass window of the Church.
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires read the following report:
The Schuyler Park Committee met
for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, 9/24/19.
Their website has been updated to
reflect current field use schedules and modified field layout necessary to
accommodate the increased related activities of Schuylerville School.
Committee continues to maintain
strong lines of communication for the increased field use by the school teams
and OSAA (Old Saratoga Athletic Association).
Next
meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at
7:30 p.m.
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc. Reports:
Quaker Springs Fire Department - Assistant Fire
Chief Don Ormsby stated they have had 81 calls to date for 2019.
Wilton EMS, Inc. - No report
Old Business: Victory Mill Project - Supervisor Thomas Wood stated after speaking with Michael Valentine and Arthur Johnson at the County, he knows the Developer has now formally submitted an application to the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA). He was also told there is no urgency for the Town to do anything; it is not critical for the Town to do a resolution and he recommends the Board take no action at this time. He asked the Board to take home the information he provided and thoroughly read through it. He then stated the Board is invited to the SCIDA meeting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 21st at Building 5, West High St. in Ballston Spa, in order to hear firsthand the information the Developer will be reviewing with the SCIDA and the SCIDA questions for the Developer. He stated they can sit in the public gallery to listen, but cannot ask questions and urged them all to attend. Supervisor Thomas Wood, along with the Board, laid this on the table taking no action at this time, as there are too many unanswered questions.
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-105, Appointing Alternate Planning Board Member, was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas
Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye,
Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye. Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, Christopher Koval recently resigned his position of
Alternate Member of the Planning Board, as he took on a Full Member position;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga, to appoint Walter Borisenok as Alternate Member of the Planning Board,
fulfilling the remaining term of Christopher Koval's Alternate Member position,
effective October 16, 2019 through December 31, 2023.
On a motion made by Councilman
James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-109, Authorizing Highway Superintendent to purchase a 1989
Blaw-Knox PF-150 Asphalt Paver, in the amount of $13,000.00, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga Highway Department is in need of an asphalt paver, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Stillwater Highway Department is selling a 1989, Blaw-Knox PF-150 Asphalt Paver, with a new engine and less than 1,000 hours on it, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent has examined said equipment, finding it in good working condition although needing new tires; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase the Blaw-Knox pf-150 Asphalt Paver for $13,000.00 from the Stillwater Highway Department.
On a motion made by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-110, Accepting 2018 Audit Findings Report, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye. Carried
5 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has had the
Town’s 2018 Financial Operations and Procedures audited by BST & CO; and
WHEREAS, BST & CO have completed the audit; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept
the findings of the Town's 2018 Financial Operations and Procedures Audit, as
presented.
(Audit
is on file in the Town Clerk’s office)
On a motion made by Councilman
James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-111, Accepting Resignation of Zoning Board of Appeals
Member Nicholas Schwartz, was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas
Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye,
Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga, to accept, with regret, the resignation of Zoning Board of Appeals
Member Nicholas Schwartz, as he is moving from our town.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood stated that although Alternate Zoning Board Member Mark Sullivan gave
his resignation verbally as Alternate Member of the ZBA, in order to become a Full
Board Member, his written resignation has not yet been received. As such, Resolution
#19-112 and Resolution #19-113 will be on hold until receipt of his written
resignation.
Resolution #19-114, Supporting the Proposed Victory
Mills Development - The Board will
take no action on this resolution at this time.
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-115, Authorizing Attorney
William Reynolds to represent the Town of Saratoga in an Article 78 lawsuit, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga has recently been served an
Article 78; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga hereby
authorizes the Attorney for the Town, William Reynolds, to represent the Town
of Saratoga in regards to said lawsuit.
A motion was made by
Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, on Resolution #19-116, Authorizing Refinancing
of Town Bonds. Councilman Charles
Hanehan questioned the savings of $114,000.00, as he read the Refunding Highlights
of refunding these bonds and it showed the savings to be $122,296.97. Supervisor Thomas Wood, after reviewing the
document, agreed and apologized for the error and stated they needed to vote to
amend the resolution.
On a motion made by
Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, to amend Resolution #19-116, by striking $114,000.00, putting in the correct amount
of $122,296.97, was adopted by vote:
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye,
Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman
Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
The amended Resolution #19-116, Authorizing Refinancing
of Town Bonds, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga has the opportunity to
refinance the Town Hall building bonds, resulting in a $122,296.97 savings over
the remaining nine years, and;
WHEREAS, the cost of issuance for the refinancing with Fiscal
Advisors & Marketing Inc. is $36,000.00; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga hereby
authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into an agreement with Fiscal Advisors
& Marketing Inc. to refinance the bonds for the Town Hall building.
On a motion by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-117, Authorization to hire
The LA Group to apply for a $75,000.00 Greenway Grant through the Hudson River
Valley Greenway Grant Programs for trail planning and construction, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga finds it in the best interest
of the Town, to authorize
the LA Group to apply to the
Hudson River Valley Greenway for a grant in the amount of
$75,000.00, for Trail
Planning and Construction; and
WHEREAS, the grant application requires the Town of Saratoga to
obtain the approval/endorsement of the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga hereby
authorizes the application for a grant under the Hudson River Valley Greenway
Grant Program, for said grant.
Privilege
of the floor: The following addressed the Board:
Shan Burton, Stillwater, addressed Highway
Superintendent Don Ormsby
Jim Sullivan, 11 Pearl St., Schuylerville, addressed
the Board.
Communications:
v
October 21, 2019 - 8:00 a.m. the IDA will be
meeting with Victory Mill Developers at Building 5, West High St., Ballston
Spa, NY; public is welcome to attend and listen to the discussion.
v
Saratoga County Year of the Senior Fall Harvest Festival to be held on Friday, Oct. 25,
2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Milton Town Park.
v Saratoga
Rowing Association Fall Regattas - 10/26 & 10/27/19
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, October
31, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular
Town Board meeting - Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Budget
Workshop #3 - October 22, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Gary Squires seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the
following Resolution #19-118, Approving
the Payment of Bills in Abstract 10G of 2019, was adopted by vote:
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires
– aye.
Carried 5 - 0
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 10G of 2019 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 162 through 180 $
20,255.03
General Fund A Voucher
No. 302 through 345 $ 46,294.67
General Fund B Voucher No. 53 through 57 $ 3,707.10
Schuyler Park Voucher
No. 17 through 20 $ 23,068.74
CDBG Voucher
No. 18 through 22 $ 17,625.00
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher No. 34 through 37 $ 1,246.72
Partnership
Grand Total $112,197.26
A motion to adjourn at 8:39 p.m. was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye. Carried 5 - 0
Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk